Duke Faces Their Emotion

Jones vs NCS

The Blue Devils came through with a win over Syracuse in a packed Carrier Dome to push their season record to 22-3. By winning, Duke is currently guaranteed a much sought after bye in the fast approaching ACC Tournament. The Blue Devils continue to build a solid resume for the NCAA Tournament as well, but now must take on their arch-rival North Carolina this Wednesday night at 9:00. In fact, the Blue Devils will take on the Tar Heels two times in their final six games. Looking back at the win over Syracuse, one has to be impressed.

With the Orange electing not to participate in the tournaments, the Duke game was their Super Bowl. Duke won in a hostile environment similar to the kind of atmosphere that can be presented in March Madness. Duke continues to mature as a team with a line-up where half the roster are freshmen. The Blue Devils also seemed to have learned from earlier back-to-back defeats to N.C. State and Miami earlier this season, but there still could be lessons to be learned and Mike Krzyzewski is well aware of that.

The young Blue Devils will need leadership and advice from captains Quinn Cook and Amile Jefferson before facing North Carolina. The reason is the many intangibles involved with this game that, for the most part, go unnoticed by the fan base. This will be the first time the Duke freshmen have played in such a big game. Waiting around all day while hearing nonstop hype for a 9:00 tip-off can be a challenge. Being around a most crazed atmosphere in tent city leading up to the big game can be as well.

While this is a fun game for the fan base, it is a worry fest for the coaching staff who has to make sure their team doesn't spend emotion before the game. You can get so pumped up for this game, that you have tired legs by the second half. The staff even controls how the team warms up, attempting to slow down their pulse in the best crowd atmosphere on game day anywhere on the planet.

And then there is the one thing Duke cannot control: that being the emotion of the North Carolina Tar Heels. This is their biggest game to date as well and they are deep and talented. It is no secret that teams rise to the occasion of a challenge and records go out the door in rivalry games. Strange things can happen and unsung players can step up and play their best career games.

As for the Tar Heels, they need a win to have hopes of a bye in the ACC Tournament. And after losing to Pitt on the road and the recent passing of legendary coach Dean Smith, is there any doubt they will come to play? Of course they will.  They always do in this game, as does Duke.

The Blue Devils need to protect their home court but this is the grand challenge for the remainder of their home schedule. Duke is down to a mere six games before tournament basketball. It will be interesting on many levels to see how they fare against their arch rivals this week.

During his weekly television show, Mike Krzyzewski said his team would grow from the match-up with UNC, win or lose. Having seen every match-up between these two since his tenure at Duke began, I agree.

This week Duke will learn a lot about itself from a team perspective. They'll also have to put this game behind them to face Clemson this weekend. With the challenges ahead, the staff and the nation will learn much more about the team. If Duke can come away with two key victories on their home court, the season will have lined up well for the final four games.

Another thing to watch for is the reality of the rivalry game. Despite what fans on both sides think, it will be hard-fought and close. Trust me in saying that either coach would gladly take a single digit win. We can expect another epic battle come Wednesday. North Carolina is hungry and riding the emotion of the passing of one of their beloved. Duke is trying to prove they can handle the pressure despite having a team where three freshmen start against a more veteran team. Like anyone reading this, I can't wait to see what happens.